The 2026 Scottish National Surfing Championships delivered a dramatic two-day showcase of skill, grit, and classic North Sea unpredictability.
Competitors converged on the Caithness coastline in Thurso, for one of the most anticipated events on the Scottish surf calendar.
Running from Friday to Saturday, the championships highlighted the resilience of the nation’s surfers as they battled through challenging early conditions before being rewarded with powerful, clean waves on finals day.
Friday’s opening rounds were defined by raw determination. Competitors were met with stiff onshore winds that tore across the lineup, creating choppy, disorganised surf that demanded patience and strong wave-selection instincts. Sets were difficult to read, peaks shifted constantly with the tide and gusts, and many heats turned into tactical battles rather than displays of high-performance surfing. Still, a handful of windows offered semi-decent conditions, allowing judges glimpses of the form to come.
Those who advanced did so by grinding through the turbulence, staying busy, and capitalising on the rare cleaner faces that appeared. The atmosphere on the beach was one of cautious optimism: challenging start, but the forecast hinted at a transformation for Saturday.
That forecast delivered. Saturday dawned with a complete change of character, bringing clean, powerful, and well-groomed swell, the kind of classic Scottish surf that competitors dream about.
With light winds and consistent lines marching into the bay, the mood among athletes and spectators lifted instantly. Energy levels were high, and the surfing rose to match the conditions. Big walls, long open faces, and multiple scoring opportunities allowed the finalists to showcase their full repertoire. It was a day of committed turns, confident rail work, and late drops that had the crowd erupting throughout the afternoon.
In the Open Men’s division, Craig McLachlan claimed the national title with a standout performance marked by speed, precision, and flow. Mark Boyd secured second place with his trademark power surfing, while rising talents Finn Clark and Israel Noble finished third and fourth respectively after impressive showings in the clean Saturday surf.
The Open Women’s division saw Phoebe Strachan once again assert her dominance, taking the win with smooth, controlled surfing and smart wave choice. This marks her 7th consecutive championship title.
Callie Cruickshank earned a well-deserved second, pushing the pace in the final, followed by Catriona MacDonald in third and Georgia Nicholson in fourth.
In the Masters, experience proved decisive as Mark Cameron captured first place with composed, technically sharp surfing. He was followed by Craig Sutherland in second, Cal Burns in third, and Mark Yeadon in fourth.
The Grand Masters final delivered a crowd-pleasing showdown between legends of the Scottish surf community. Ali Matheson took top honours, with Doug McAllister earning second, Adam Robertson third, and Andrew MacLeod fourth.
By the time the final horn sounded on Saturday evening, the event had encapsulated everything Scottish surfing is known for: unpredictable weather, raw ocean energy, and a tight-knit community celebrating every moment of it. The 2026 championships will be remembered as a weekend where perseverance met perfect conditions—an iconic chapter in Scottish surf history.
All of this would not be possible without the tireless effort of the Scottish Surfing committee. Marcelle Lockhart, Mark Boyd, Huw, Tim & all the volunteer judges and staff who keep everybody safe and looked after.
Also massive thanks to our sponsors for the continued support and investment in the future of Scottish Surfing.
Words – Oscar James
Photos – Sam Howard, Duncan McLachlan, Connor Hughes, Oscar James.
